Providing a full range of services to the underground and plumbing industry
Line-Stopping will eliminate the need to employ obsolete and costly methods of dealing with valve and hydrant problems, as well as the general maintenance of water or other liquid distribution systems used by municipalities. It eliminates complete water system shutdowns that create major service disruptions while needed repair or replacement work is being done. Ordinary methods are time consuming and costly, not only from repair man-hour costs, but also from lost revenues. Simply stated, when water flow stops, revenue stops.
Below is an animation of the Line-Stopping process
Line Stop Procedure
1. A line stop fitting is bolted or welded on to the pipe and support blocking placed under fitting, and a tapping gate valve is then mounted and tapping machine is bolted on to the assembly.
2. With the gate valve open. The shell cutter taps (cuts) a hole in pipe and the cutter with pipe coupon is retracted.
3. The gate valve is then closed and the tapper can be removed. The line stopping machine is mounted and bolted to temporary gate valve.
4. The gate valve is reopened, so the line stop head can be inserted into pipe to stop flow. Pipe work on isolated section can now be accomplished.
5. The line stop head is retracted, and the gate valve is closed again and line stopping machine can be removed.
6. The tapper is remounted with the completion plug and plug inserting shaft assembly, and the tapper is bolted to the gate valve, then the gate valve is opened so the completion plug can be threaded into fitting and tighten.
7. The Plug inserting shaft is retracted, and the gate valve is removed along with the tapper.
8. The blind flange is bolted to the fitting which will remain on pipe. This fitting can be re-used at any time if a future line stop is required.
ELIMINATE SHUTDOWNS AND . . .
LIABILITY that is inherent in service disruptions along
with the possible expensive lawsuits, which could follow from the lack of water. Hospitals, manufacturing plants,restaurants and homes ALWAYS need water. The legal precedent has already been set where utilities have been SUED and LOST due to planned maintenance shutdown.
OVERTIME because routine work can be done under pressure and during normal working hours instead of nights or on weekends.
DELAYS in getting a system back in service such as:
- Rechlorinization problems
- Issuing of “boil” orders
- Loosening up of deposits in old lines resulting in dirty, discolored water from faucets.
UNKNOWN COSTS since costs are fixed there is no concern about breaking jammed valves and pipe diameter differentials.
LACK OF FIRE PROTECTION due to main shutdowns. Since the system stays under pressure and is no drained, there is no down time to wait for the system to recharge.
Above: Example of a single Hydra-Stop to replace a valve and hydrant without shutting down the system.
Below: Example of a double Hydra-Stop under pressure to isolate a section of pipe to repair or insert a valve or replace the damaged section of pipe.
The Line-Sopping procedure is a means of temporarily plugging a pressurized pipe without disrupting pressure or service upstream of the Line Stop. A pressure tap is first made into the main, allowing insertion of a rubber plugging device into the main under pressure.
Line stopping eliminates system shutdown when isolating water or sewer lines for repair or replacing valves and hydrants and guarantees 95% to 100% stoppage of flow from point of repair.
